Chapter 173: Broken beyond repairs

Isla has been released from the police station the day Lawson was announced as the prime suspect, the imp behind all the dark activities that happened to Vera.

When she was first arrested, she insisted she knew nothing about Vera’s abduction, but no one believed her—until days later, when Lawson was finally taken into custody and she was released.

Not that Isla was completely innocent.

If  she hadn't pulled that stunt some weeks back, Lawson wouldn't have known Alec's involvement with Vera.

Amid the chaos of the crisis, she lost her phone, and this broke her—as though her life had been dragged back into darkness once again.

Life hasn't remained the same since the day of her release.

life became tougher, draining her and leaving her with health complications. Worse of all, she had no penny to take care of herself anymore, especially as a pregnant woman.

Her pregnancy is now  three months and two weeks. The baby bump was slightly visible. Because of her unborn child, she visited Alec's company some days back but she got the worst embarrassment of her life.

Gazing at the ceiling in her closet, a pang of pain washed through her and she immediately thought about Toby.

How cruel Toby could be. Isla thought he was her friend. That they were on the same page.

Ironically, Toby was not who Isla thought he was. He never even showed up for her in the police station even when she had reached out to  him on the phone, informing him about her situation.

“Bastard!” She screamed, burning with anger inside.

As the sun burned down towards the evening, Isla resolved to pay Toby a surprise visit.

If not that he has been her only financial support since Alec left her stranded, she would have done something deadly to him.

Dressed very casually, Isla hung her handbag across her shoulders and strode to the road to board a cab.

All she had on her was five thousand dollars—hardly enough to keep her afloat for long. Without Toby stepping in to help, she would be completely stranded.

She blew exhausted air off her mouth. A white cab drove by and she instantly hailed it, giving the driver the address.

“$500” he said, his voice unclear because of the ski mask he wore.

Isla slipped the cash in his hands immediately and they drove off.

While they drove, Isla noticed the way the driver kept staring at her from the rearview mirror. A suspicious glare—very suggestive.

“Seems you know from somewhere.”She blurted out, glaring into his eyes from the same rearview mirror.

He didn't respond. Only shifting his gaze back to the steering.

They drove in silence for the rest of the ride till he dropped Isla off at Toby's mansion.

Instead of leaving at once, the driver stood there watching Isla as she made her way to Toby's compound.

Isla only heard the hum of the engine when she was already at Toby's door.

Looks like a stalker. She thought.

Meanwhile the air in Toby compound was lit and very lively unlike before when it used to be extremely quiet and dark.

What could have changed?

A white Rolls-Royce phantom was parked besides Toby's cars in the parking space.

“ He got another luxurious car?” she muttered, jealousy sparkling in her eyes as she glared at the car.

Shifting her gaze back to the door, she peered through the concealed glasses before striking the bell.

The bell rang severally, but no one came to open up for her.

She struck the bell again and further heard slow footsteps approaching from the inside.

She exhaled.

The door knob twisted and in no time, it slightly parted, revealing Toby's face and shirtless body.

Toby  was shocked. “ Shit!”

He peered inside If Vera was coming before he shut the door gently, stepping outside and dragging Isla to a secret corner by the flowers.

Isla didn't quite understand his behavior.

“Let go of me, Toby. You're hurting me”

“ What are you doing here?” He whispered, enraged. “ I didn't invite you. Why did you show up”

Isla laughed, after studying Toby's expression and reading meaning to it.

“You invited a woman over. That's her car over there” She pointed at the Rolls-Royce Phantom car. “ Isn't it?”

“Oh Shut it Isla. You know nothing. Why didn't you call me before coming? Are you sick?”

His anger burned.

Isla wasn't surprised at all. She was right about Toby. He's no good guy.

“Does she know your plans? That you're a cynic?” She scoffed mischievously.

“I know why you came. I'll just transfer some money to your account” he took his phone at once, shaking as he tried to make the transfer. “One million dollars has been sent to your account.  Leave immediately”

This didn't solve the problem.

“Fuck you! Fuck your money!” she screamed, interrupting the peace of the neighborhood.

Vera was upstairs in Toby's room.

What is Isla trying to do?  ruin his happiness?

“I swear Isla, I'm going to kill you if you try to cause a scene” Toby threatened with a strangling voice.

That only got the drama queen amused.

“You think you can use and dump me huh? After the things we have been together?” Isla continued yelling.

She knew what she wanted. Everything about her actions was intended.

She wanted to see the woman Toby was hiding inside.

That was her mission even though she never planned it.

Confused, Toby ran his hands on his hair, pacing around.

He didn't know if he should beg Isla or just smack her head with  the flower vase next to him .

She was about to ruin happiness.

Fueled by evil, Toby grabbed her by the neck, shocking her to death.

“Stop it right now!” A sharp voice screamed from behind them.

It was Vera.

“Shit!”Toby’s teeth gritted as his frustration was palpable.

He couldn’t bring himself to look at Vera. Deep down, he knew this was the moment they would say their final goodbye.

Vera was breathing heavily.

She didn't believe what she saw. Toby was trying to kill someone–a woman.

She watched the woman  cough, struggling to her feet.

But when the woman turned to her, Vera recognized her at once.

“What? Isla?” Vera's lips parted in awe.

“ You? Vanessa?” Isla too was shocked as her eyes were fixed on Vanessa “ You're Toby fiancee?”